Second victory keeps Birkirkara at the summit
Superior Birkirkara dismantled Tarxien Rainbows thanks to their slick passing and flowing football, making sure the Stripes keep a perfect start with two consecutive wins.
Yesterday’s man of the match was Vito Plut who scored the opener and provided assists for Frank Temile and Gareth Sciberras but he could not have achieved that without the running and industry of Dimitrov, Sciberras and Andelkovic around him.
Tarxien put a really poor showing and the final scoreline reflects the gulf between the two teams yesterday at the Hibernians Stadium.
Tarxien did not even get a chance to settle into the game when they fell behind after only three minutes play. Dimitrov’s sailing free kick from the right was headed by Vito Plut beyond the reach of goalkeeper Andrea Cassar.
The goal whetted Birkirkara’s appetite for more. On eight minutes keeper Cassar rushed off his line to block Temile, well set by Dimitrov’s deep cross. And on 19 minutes, Alves tripped Temile on the edge of the Tarxien area. Srdan Dimitrov placed his direct freee kick at the top right hand corner to beat Cassar again.
Although there were no more goals before halftime, the Stripes remained in total control. There was enjoyment watching Gareth Sciberras’ clever low passing, Andelkovic’s ability to play from the back, Jovic’s defensive assurance, Dimitrov’s’s technique and Plut’s invariably incisive industry in attack.
Tarxien threatened in the opening minutes of the second half when Nilsson almost capitalised on some hesitancy in the Birkirkara defence but his shot was held out by the outstretched keeper Kopric.
Soon Birkirkara looked menacing with two meaty free kicks by Dimitrov as Tarxien were conceding too many fouls around their area. Coach Scerri introduced Julian Galea for Caruana short of the hour.
Past the hour Joao Pedro’s cross from the left found Nilsson ummarked inside the Birkirkara area but he shot feebly at the goalkeeper.
The goal came on the opposite end on 63 minutes. Plut advanced down the right with alarming ease and played the ball between two Tarxien defenders for Frank Temile to run in and shoot past the stranded Tarxien keeper.
The goal rush continued as Birkirkara scored their fourth five minutes later, in similar fashion like the one before it.
Plut again advanced from the byeline on the right with some neat footwork, and placed the ball in the path of the advancing Gareth Sciberras to slot it in from close range.
Birkirkara reduced their rhythm after that, effected all three substitutions and knocked the ball around with training ground easiness. Sorry Tarxien remained only bystanders.